Sexual assault: Sentencing today

Staff Reporter

Published:06:00Tuesday 02 June 2015

A man who sexually assaulted his ex-partner is expected to be sentenced today, Tuesday, at Londonderry Crown Court.

The 29-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, admitted sexual assault and common assault, as well as false imprisonment with intent to commit a sexual offence on June 23, last year.

The court heard the couple’s nine-year relationship had broken down weeks before the incident.

In the early hours of the morning, the man went to his ex-partner’s home and took her mobile phone off her.

The 29-year-old came back an hour later and began asking the injured party about messages on her phone.

He grabbed her and pulled her into the bedroom, threatening to rape her.

The victim was shouting and screaming and their two children woke up during the commotion.

The court heard that the man dragged the woman into the bathroom and forced her into the bath before removing her clothes and sexually assaulting her.

The injured party managed to get away from him and police arrived a short time later.

During interview, the man claimed he had been out drinking and couldn’t remember anything after leaving the bar.

Defence counsel Martin Rodgers QC told the court the relationship between the couple was some sort of roller-coaster.